Enola Holmes 2

Enola Holmes 2
Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis, Louis Partridge
Directed by Harry Bradbeer

Who out there has never felt marginalized for who they are? Who has been looked down because they're too old, too young, too fat, too skinny, too female, too male? As the years go by I realize more and more that we're all unique and special, and no matter how we look on the outside, we have something wholly unique and valuable to offer to the world, even if the world doesn't see it that way. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it when it comes to this delightful sequel, but it seems that young Enola Holmes faces those same difficulties - and chooses to rise above them and prove everyone wrong on her own terms.

After successfully solving her first case, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) is starting her own detective agency, but can't find clients because people think she's either the receptionist, too young, or wants the aid of her older, more established brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill). She's about to throw in the towel when she's visited by young Bessie (Serrana Su-Ling Bliss) who needs Enola to help her find her missing sister Sarah Chapman (Hannah Todd). Delighted to have an opportunity to prove herself again, Enola takes the case and soon realizes there's much more to Sarah's disappearance than meets the eye, and unlike her previous outing, she realizes that she needs help from Sherlock her friend and Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) as she uncovers a massive conspiracy that threatens the lives of countless women.

The Enola Holmes series of novels is written by Nancy Springer, and focuses on the fictionalized younger sister of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective Sherlock, and gives young girls today someone to look up to as she's as smart, headstrong, determined, and observant as her famous brother. While the first film was a take on one of Springer's works, this one is an original idea that intertwines the fiction and fact, centering on a real-life event that gave women more rights when it came to workplace safety.

Much like the first film, "Enola Holmes 2" is a light-hearted, witty, and fun romp through classic England and gives young girls someone to admire in the guise of Enola herself, who's constantly looked down by others but utilizes those negatives into strengths - while others see a young girl, she sees someone who can go undercover with ease. Refusing to allow others to dictate who she is, Enola herself chooses who she's supposed to be, and that's a detective every bit on par with her brother.

Millie Bobby Brown brings her infectious personality to the role once again, proving that she has the comedic and action chops to pull it off against her darker role everyone else knows her for in "Stranger Things." She hams it up without being cheesy, and her often asides to the audience is infectious and brings a smile to your face. Apart from her comedic timing, she's not someone you should mess with, as her spunk is evenly matched with her ability to fight, and anyone who underestimates her does so at their peril. Likewise Henry Cavill is known for more serious roles, and here he's allowed to let loose and have fun, and his connection with Millie Bobby Brown is easily a highlight of the series. In real life they have a fun brother/sister relationship and it resonates on the screen as well. Cavill knows that although his character is more well-known, it's Brown's story and he allows her to spread her wings and fly.

Like with the first "Enola Holmes," the sequel has everything one would need for a fun family film night - an uplifting empowering message, fantastic performances, a lively feel that never drags the story, and just enough cheese to warrant good-natured laughter without making fun of it. Will this be one of those films you'll fondly remember years from now? Probably not, but that'll just give you reason to re-watch it and experience the fun and joy all over again.

The Score: A